Passengers Terrified As Angry Car Driver Smashes Bulebel Bus Windows With Two Bricks
Smashed windows and threats of violence are two abnormal health hazards bus drivers have had to deal with this week after two separate incidents on Malta’s roads.
The first took place on Sunday afternoon at Bulebel’s industrial estate. Cut off from illegally overtaking, an angry driver chased down the bus driver that had blocked his exit while it left a bus stop. Once it caught up to the bus the driver forced it to pull over and began hammering at the windows with two concrete bricks.
Sources close to the Transport Malta say passengers were screaming and freaking out (an understandable reaction) and the assailant didn’t stop till several windows were completely smashed.
Images from the scene on the bus.
Less than 24 hours later another commuter posted a story detailing the verbal assault and physical threats made by an angry Maltese passenger to a bus driver.
According to this post, the 30-something Maltese commuter was upset after a bus driver was unable to stop in time after he delayed ringing the bell. As he walked off the bus he allegedly started yelling and punching the bus door.
The Malta Public Transport were quick to strongly condemn all attacks on its drivers. “Our employees and passengers have the right to work or travel without fear of abuse or assault, whether physical or verbal. We will always report incidents to the authorities and press for the strongest penalties.”
The full post reads:
Today the bus driver was driving along his assigned route. When the bus arrived in Floriana, an individual got up and shouted “STOP”! The individual had pressed the button the very last minute and the driver did not have enough time to make a stop. However the driver was kind and good enough to stop next to the stop.
The individual went next to him and started yelling. At one point the individual started to get physical. A senior old man and a third country national rushed to stop this unacceptable attitude! The individual went down the bus and PUNCHED the door. The driver was so in shock that us passengers had to reassure him.
If you assumed the individual was a foreigner, you assumed wrongly. The individual was a Maltese in his thirties.
Drivers are workers and their health and safety at work needs to be protected. The drivers need to be in a protective cubicle like the ones other European countries have installed. Drivers should not be exposed to these violent risks.
When I got down I had a talk with the driver and offered him my details as a witness to this unacceptable incident. The driver was very grateful and felt more reassured.
What do you think about these incidents?
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